Epilogue #4
Walking hand in hand, they started across the lawn toward the dance floor.
On the way there, they ran into her mother and Aunt Phyllis, who were headed in the direction of the tent to rejoin their dates.
Kennedi had fixed her mom up with one of her clients, a wealthy widower from California.
They’d been dating for three months now, and things looked promising so far.
“You two having a good time?” Daniela asked, pausing to chat with her mother and aunt.
“We’re having a wonderful time,” Aunt Phyllis gushed, sounding a little tipsy. “Your friend Tamia sure knows how to throw a helluva party.”
“Yes indeed. She really outdid herself,” Pamela agreed, motioning around the lawn. “It looks like a fairy garden out here.”
“Doesn’t it? So enchanting!” Aunt Phyllis beamed at Daniela and Caleb. “We’re so thrilled for you young lovebirds. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
“Thank you so much, Auntie.” Daniela exchanged soft smiles with Caleb. “So far so good.”
“Aww.” Her mother and aunt gave her a big hug, one from each side. Then they took turns hugging Caleb and fondly patting his cheek.
“Welcome to the family, Caleb,” Pamela told him with warm, glowing eyes.
“Thanks for having me.” Caleb kissed the back of her hand and winked. “It’s truly an honor.”
Tittering and giggling, arms linked and heads bent together, the two sisters departed in a cloud of sweet-smelling perfume.
Daniela slanted Caleb an amused look as they resumed walking. “No woman is immune. You’ve even got little Tatiana under your spell.”
His grin slashed white in the deepening twilight. “Just accept it. I’m irresistible.”
She laughed. “I’m marrying you, so clearly I agree.”
As they neared the packed dance floor, the DJ announced over the speakers, “Alright, party people. Time for some old school jams.” When he started playing Maxwell’s “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder),” the crowd let out a roar of appreciation.
Grinning, Caleb grabbed Daniela’s hand, easily carved a path to the middle of the dance floor and pulled her close.
She melted against him with her arms looped around his neck, their gazes locking as they began swaying together in perfect sync while he mouthed the lyrics to her, making her blush like a shy virgin on her wedding night.
They were soon joined by Brandon and Tamia, Evander and Robinette, Kenneth and Janie.
Cornel tugged Kennedi onto the dance floor while Dre grabbed the closest single lady, who just so happened to be Brooke Chambers.
Her megawatt smile announced that she was only too happy to take a twirl with her longtime crush.
Under the pulsating lights and crisscrossing lasers, the couples rocked together, bumping and grinding to the throbbing rhythm. Onlookers stood off to the side, whooping and cheering them on from one song to the next, from Sade to The Isley Brothers.
Rapturous, exhilarated, blissfully in love, Daniela laughed and tossed her head, letting the beat of the music flow through her limbs. The heat of Caleb’s body was electrifying as he moved sinuously against her, his possessive hands roaming down her arms, her back, her hips, her bottom.
When Miguel’s “Adorn” came on, Caleb spun her around so her back was flush with his front.
She shivered and curled her arm up around the back of his neck, looking over her shoulder at him.
He stared into her eyes, trailing his finger down the inside of her raised arm and making her pulse riot in her veins, drowning out everything else until the world narrowed to just the two of them.
Licking her lips, she seductively gyrated against him, watching his eyes darken to an obscenely sexy smolder while his dick hardened against her ass.
I’ma fuck you so good tonight, he mouthed to her.
A rush of heat pooled between her thighs, dampening her panties. Promises, promises, she mouthed back teasingly, earning a wolfish chuckle. He held her deliciously close, kissing the back of her neck and whispering filthy sweet nothings in her ear.
A few feet away, Brandon and Tamia were doing their own dirty dancing, wining and grinding all up on each other.
Drunk on good vibes and good times, Tamia twirled around and started twerking on her husband.
He hooted with delight, sexy dimples flashing as he mimed slapping her ass while rowdy cheers and whistles exploded around them.
They were laughing, loving every minute, neither of them giving a damn if a video surfaced tomorrow and went viral, which was highly probable.
Through the gathering crowd of onlookers, Daniela caught a glimpse of Gwen Chambers’ scandalized face and could only laugh.
Admonishments would be meted out over breakfast tomorrow, reminders about decorum and societal expectations, about the importance of comporting oneself like a potential future president, future first lady, future cabinet secretary.
The lecture was coming and they all knew it.
But right here, right now, nothing else mattered but soaking up the magic of this intoxicatingly beautiful night.
When the music stopped, there was thunderous applause. Laughing, Caleb and Brandon dapped each other up while Daniela turned to Tamia and circled her arms around her neck.
“Thank you, girl. For everything.”
“Aw, right back atcha, boo.” Tamia returned her hug, swaying with her before pulling away to tweak her nose and wink. “Time for the grand finale.”
Daniela grinned as Caleb hugged her from behind, his warm lips nuzzling her temple as they watched Brandon and Tamia cross the dance floor and climb up onto the stage.
The DJ smiled a mile wide and pulled off his headphones as the couple walked hand in hand to the microphone stand.
The partygoers went silent, all eyes focused on their hosts.
Tamia grinned, playfully fanning herself with her free hand. “Whew! That was fun!”
Loud cheers and hoots erupted from the crowd.
She beamed with pleasure. “Thank you all for joining us to celebrate the impending nuptials of our dear friends Caleb and Daniela. Brandon and I hope you enjoyed today’s celebration of love, romance and family. We can’t wait to watch the happy couple tie the knot in—”
“Three weeks!” the crowd chorused.
“That’s right, three weeks!” Tamia laughed, waiting for the noise to die down before she continued.
“We’ll see most of y’all back in Texas for the big day.
And can I just say that the bride’s wedding dress is just”—She kissed her fingertips—“chef’s kiss.
Seriously! When Daniela comes floating down that aisle, I promise there won’t be a dry eye in the house.
Better get your handkerchief ready, Caleb. ”
“For real,” Brandon confirmed with a grin. “I’ve seen the dress, bro. You’re in trouble.”
Warm laughter swept through the crowd as Caleb hugged Daniela closer, his soft chuckle tickling her ear and trailing down her neck.
Tamia grinned. “As for this evening’s entertainment, we’ll be starting the feature film very soon, so if you haven’t already, be sure to grab a spot.
There’s plenty of room for everyone, and not a bad seat in the house.
Our wonderful team of servers will be passing out gourmet popcorn balls and other yummy snacks, so help yourselves and get ready for the show. Yeehaw!”
The crowd burst into cheers and applause as Brandon and Tamia left the stage, beaming as their son ran up to them and took each parent by the hand. Together they set off to claim their perfect spot, Junior eagerly leading the way.
“I’ve already picked out our spot.” Caleb took Daniela’s hand and led her across the lawn to a large picnic blanket spread out under a twinkling dogwood tree, set a good distance apart from everyone else.
“Ooh, so nice and cozy,” Daniela purred in delight. “Very private, too.”
“We’re the guests of honor. We deserve the best seat in the house.” Caleb plucked a fragrant pink blossom from the huge tree and tucked it into her hair above her ear, gazing into her eyes as he murmured, “My favorite color.”
Her stomach fluttered with a thousand butterflies, and she grinned up at him. She’d never tire of hearing him say that.
Without breaking eye contact, they settled down on the thick blanket.
Caleb propped himself against the tree trunk, stretched out his long legs and tucked her into his side, letting her use his shoulder as a pillow as she leaned back against him.
The low tree branches formed a shelter of twisted limbs and satiny leaves.
In the near distance, the dark blue waters of the Potomac glistened beneath the evening sky. It was springtime and the night air was balmy with a cool breeze.
“Mmm.” Caleb’s deep voice vibrated against her ear. “This is nice.”
“Better than nice. It’s perfect.”
“Agreed.”
Daniela sighed. “These past six months have been an absolute whirlwind. But I’m not complaining—”
“You’re allowed to,” Caleb murmured, nuzzling the top of her head with his cheek. “I agree it’s been crazy as hell. Do you want to elope? It’s not too late.”
She laughed softly against his chest. “Don’t tempt me.”
“I’m already tempted. Join me.”
“Stop playing, Caleb,” she chided, giggling. “You know we can’t elope.”
“Says who?”
“Says everyone.”
She could practically see his defiantly cocked eyebrow. “Last I checked, we’re grown as fu—”
She laughed and lifted her head to give him an exasperated look. “First of all, you and your dad have already spent a mind-boggling amount of money on the wedding. Which is just, like, I can’t even—”
He put his finger to her lips and shook his head, silently reminding her to take off her accountant hat and let herself enjoy being the bride-to-be.
She acquiesced with a sigh. “What was I saying?”
The twinkling fairy lights reflected in his eyes. “You were trying to convince me why we shouldn’t elope.”